If you’re planning on starting a new fitness regime, an exercise bike is a great choice. Cycling is an excellent cardio activity, improving your heart health and increasing your leg muscle strength. However, many people are wary about taking a bike out on the roads and prefer to exercise in the comfort of their own homes. Once you’ve decided you’d like an exercise bike, you have another decision to make; recumbent bike vs upright exercise bike. Here we’ll explore these two types of bikes to help you decide which one is best for you.
The Basic Difference of Recumbent Bike vs Upright Bike
To fully appreciate the arguments of recumbent bike vs upright bike, you need to appreciate the basic difference between these two bikes. This is obvious when you look at the two types of bikes, as you’ll see it comes down to the position of the rider.
A recumbent bike has a reclined seat position with the pedals positioned in front of the body. An upright bike is the more conventional type of exercise bike with an upright body position and pedals under your body.
This positioning provides different pros and cons, which you need to understand to determine which one is best for your needs.
The Pros And Cons To Consider Whether To Purchase An Upright Or Recumbent Bike:
- Back Pain: Recumbent bikes tend to be easier on your lower back due to the reclined seat. An upright bike will place you in a similar position to a traditional bicycle. So, if you struggle with back pain when riding a road bike, you’re likely to prefer a recumbent bike.
- Seat Size: Upright bikes typically have a seat similar to a road bike, so a positive of a recumbent bike is that it will typically have a larger seat that can be more comfortable, particularly for beginners.
- Safety: Since you are in an almost reclined position, recumbent bikes are typically safer. However, if you are comfortable on a traditional bike, you’re not likely to have an issue with an upright bike.
- Size: When looking at upright vs recumbent exercise bike options, you’ll see that recumbent bikes tend to have a larger footprint compared to upright bikes. So, if you’re short of space, you’ll find the size a negative for a recumbent.
Recumbent Bike vs Upright Bike: Differences And Similarities
Due to their designs, no examination of recumbent vs upright bike options would be complete without examining both the similarities and differences. There are several areas to consider:
Calories Burnt Using Exercise Bike:
Burning calories is one of the primary reasons why many people consider an exercise bike, so this is a crucial factor to examine. Both bikes typically allow you to burn a similar number of calories. So, providing you’re putting in the same effort, you shouldn’t really see much difference in either type of bike.
However, it is important to consider your comfort. If you’re feeling more comfortable, you’re more likely to work harder and burn more energy.
Which Exercise Bike Is Easier To Use:
Almost everyone has learned to ride a bike as a child and this is a skill you will remember. So, if you just want to jump on a bike and get cycling, you’ll likely appreciate the simplicity of an upright bike. An upright bike mimics regular biking, so you can start pedaling immediately.
However, while it is a new movement pattern, recumbent bikes are relatively easy to use. Once you get familiar with the movement, you’re likely to find it comfortable.
Risk Of Injury When Using An Upright Or Recumbent Exercise Bike:
It’s common sense, that if you suffer an injury, you’ll be unable to continue training, so the risk of injury is an important factor in the recumbent bike vs upright bike comparison. Most users find recumbent bikes have an edge over upright bikes in this area.
If you’re using an upright bike, you’ll be at more risk of saddle sores because of the constant downward pressure on the seat as all your weight comes down on your tailbones. However, with a recumbent bike, some of your weight is transferred as you are also leaning on the back rest. It is also easier to slightly adjust your center of balance.
For true injuries, an upright bike also places more stress on the quad muscles, so there is a higher potential for knee cap aggravation.
Muscles Worked When Using Each Exercise Bike:
Both bikes work very similar muscle groups. However, since there is no back support on an upright bike, you will also need to use your core and spine to remain upright. Additionally, while it will not provide an upper body workout, you will need to use some upper body muscles to stabilize your grip on the handle bars.
Which Exercise Bike Is Best For You Recumbent Bike vs Upright Bike?
It is important to note that regardless of how effective the bikes are, meeting your fitness goals is down to you. While machines can help, you will still have to put in the hard work.
However, all things considered, your choice of machine will have an impact on your new workout routine. If you’re looking for a quality cardio workout, you’re likely to appreciate an upright bike. They are also a better option for those who have limited space. In the recumbent bike vs upright bike comparison, you’ll find that upright bikes have a smaller footprint, so they are easier to accommodate in smaller homes.
On the other hand, if you have back issues that make working out difficult or prefer more comfort, a recumbent bike is likely to be a better choice for you. While you can burn an equal number of calories with the same effort, there is less risk of strain or getting hurt. The reclined position and location of the pedals is easier on your back and butt, which may encourage you to cycle for longer and therefore burn more calories.
Investing in an exercise bike can be costly, so it is important to properly assess your options to determine the best option for you. There is no point in rushing into a purchase decision to get started working out immediately, if your new exercise bike ends up sitting unused in a corner.
However, by taking some time to assess the recumbent bike vs upright bike comparison, you should be able to work out which bike will help you reach your fitness goals.